Metals, Nonmetals, & Metalloids Complete Lesson Plan - MS

Bring chemistry to life with this engaging, ready-to-teach unit on metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.
This fully editable, multiday resource includes presentations, worksheets, student-choice projects, and assessments—everything you need to introduce and explore the physical properties that distinguish these groups of elements.

Designed for student-led, differentiated learning, this lesson keeps middle school students engaged and curious while giving you the freedom to focus on facilitating success instead of prepping materials.

Essential Questions

• What are metals, nonmetals, and metalloids?

• How are physical properties used to compare metals, nonmetals, and metalloids?

Texas Teachers: This lesson aligns with the 2017 TEKS and will not be updated for the 2021 standards.

Why Teachers Love This Kesler Science Complete Lesson

• Differentiated materials for students who need additional support

• Multimodal learning keeps middle schoolers engaged and motivated

• Maximum flexibility – fully printable, fully digital, or both!

• Editable PowerPoints to customize for your classroom

• Spanish translations for vocabulary, reading passages, and notebook pages

Built around the **research-based 5E Instructional Model—Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate—**this lesson encourages active learning, critical thinking, and mastery through inquiry and application.

What’s Included in Each 5E Stage

Engage

Start strong with activities that spark curiosity and introduce key vocabulary:

• Objectives and Word Wall Cards in English and Spanish

• Teacher guide with class discussion ideas, activities, and notes on common misconceptions

Explore

Students take charge of their learning with a student-led, differentiated station lab designed for all learners and learning styles.
With nine interactive stations, students investigate the properties of metals, nonmetals, and metalloids through reading, experimentation, and analysis.

Input Stations help students absorb new concepts in multiple ways:

• Explore It! – Hands-on demo or experiment connecting lesson concepts through application

• Read It! – Short reading passage with comprehension questions (English and Spanish versions included)

• Research It! – Guided online investigation with tasks and follow-up questions

• Watch It! – Short, focused video with prompts for discussion and note-taking

Output Stations allow students to demonstrate understanding creatively:

• Organize It! – Sort or categorize examples using printable or digital tools

• Write It! – Respond to open-ended prompts using academic vocabulary

• Illustrate It! – Draw or diagram the properties of elements to increase retention

• Assess It! – Demonstrate mastery through vocabulary-based assessments and reflection questions

Bonus Station – Challenge It!
Extension activities for early finishers and advanced learners, including enrichment puzzles, games, and mini-projects to deepen learning.

Explain

Help students solidify their understanding and connect concepts with:

• Editable PowerPoints (standard and interactive versions)

• Interactive Notebook Templates in both printable and digital formats (English and Spanish)

• Note-taking templates to guide comprehension and vocabulary development

Elaborate

Encourage higher-order thinking and creativity with student-choice projects that challenge learners to apply what they’ve learned about metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.
Projects can be completed in class or at home as enrichment or extension work.

Evaluate

Reinforce mastery and assess comprehension with:

• STAAR 2.0–style assessment questions in both standard and modified versions

• Review worksheets for discussions, homework, or test prep

Perfect for In-Class or Virtual Learning

This resource is designed for maximum flexibility, making it ideal for in-person, hybrid, or virtual instruction.
The station lab and interactive notebook components are fully compatible with PowerPoint and Google Slides, so students can engage with content wherever they learn best.

This is a finished product; it will be updated with formatting or corrections as needed. Future improvements and new features will be sold as a separate product.